Wales will face Scots in wooden spoon clash

WARREN Abrahams’ Wales Women will face Scotland in their Six Nations play-off this weekend.

Wales had a bye this week, with Italy cruising to a 41-20 victory over Scotland in the opposite pool to confirm finalround opposition.

Italy captain Manuela Furlan scored a hat-trick in Glasgow, while Beatrice Rigoni also crossed twice as the visitors ran in seven tries and ensured they will face Ireland next week with third place at stake.

Scotland trailed by just nine points at the break but could not claw their way back despite Emma Wassell’s try. Wales and Scotland will now both be bidding to avoid last place.

Ireland missed out on a place in the final against England after a 56-15 defeat to France in Dublin.

A 45-0 victory over Wales last weekend boosted hopes Adam Griggs’ Irish side could progress from Group B as winners.

But France proved too strong in the end, with Caroline Boujard, Emilie Boulard, Safi N’Diaye and Cyrielle Banet all crossing in the first half, while the visitors were also awarded a penalty try.

WARREN Gatland has questioned the sense of English clubs demanding additional compensation for releasing their players for the British and Irish Lions pre-tour training camp.

Gatland’s squad will spend 10 days in Jersey in advance of their preparation Test against Japan at Murrayfield on June 26, after which they depart for South Africa for an eight-fixture itinerary culminating in a series against the world champions.

The Lions are in negotiation with England’s clubs, who are represented by Premiership Rugby, to secure early release of their players if they are not involved in the play-offs.

So far an agreement has proved elusive and Gatland has intensified his war of words with the Premiership by criticising their pursuit of money.

“There was obviously money paid for the Scottish players to play France in the Six Nations recently,” Gatland said.

“I don’t know what the figure is but I would presume there was financial compensation.

“We’re all in a situation where, with the issue of fans not attending, that for the Lions it doesn’t look like we’ll be on the positive side of the balance sheet. It looks like the Lions are going to lose money, so we’re all in the same boat. I don’t know why everything has to come down to dollar signs.”